A former make-up artist to the stars has turned her back on the catwalk to set up shop in her North-East home town.

Mark Tallentire pays her a visit

NAME a movie star and chances are Amanda Bell could tell you what they look like before make-up. Not that she’s likely too, however – the award-winning make-up artist is far too discreet to let the stars’ secrets slip.

Head make-up artist for the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (Bafta) awards for several years running, Amanda was responsible for preparing numerous celebrities for the red carpet.

She worked with Sienna Miller, Jessica Biel, Goldie Hawn, Juliette Binoche, Emily Watson, Pierce Brosnan, Jude Law, Sir Ian McKellen, Dame Helen Mirren, Gillian Anderson and more.

Asked who her favourite is, Amanda, originally from Seaham , County Durham, pauses for a moment.

“I really enjoyed working with Sienna Miller,” she says.

“I didn’t really know what to expect. But she was really welcoming and down to earth.

“I found myself in a really surreal situation.

I was sitting in her front room in her place in Notting Hill. She couldn’t decide what to wear (for the Baftas) and she was going up and down stairs trying on dresses. We were sitting there giving feedback on the outfits. It was surreal.

“But she was lovely. When we were finished, she gave me a bottle of champagne, which I thought was very nice.”

Asked about her leading men, Amanda goes for an older star.

“Sir Ian McKellen was great,” she says.

“He was charming and very friendly. But it’s been a pleasure working with everybody. It’s not about me – it’s about the person I’m working with.

“Whatever they want is what I’m there to do – that’s my attitude. I just feel really lucky to be in that situation.”

Having studied beauty therapy and specialist make-up at South Tyneside College, where she won several student awards, Amanda’s first job in the industry was as a Sunday girl at Boots, at the MetroCentre, Gateshead.

Rising quickly, she found herself in London at Harvey Nichols Knightsbridge and then a senior make-up artist with Selfridges, in Oxford Street. Further success followed, as she was promoted to become the firm’s national makeup artist and trainer in 2006.

She was awarded the Lancome Make-Up Artist of the Year Award in 2003 and trained with Fred Farrugia, Lancome’s international creative director, in Paris.

She worked alongside celebrity hairdressers Nicky Clarke, Andrew Barton, Guido and Charles Worthington, and created make-up looks for London Fashion Week.

“My interest in make-up started as a little girl, barely tall enough to see over the bathroom sink, watching in wonder as my mother applied her make-up each morning.

“That interest turned into passion and from passion into the most amazing career I could ever have imagined,” Amanda says.

However, having done her time with the Baftas, Amanda and her husband, Craig Johnstone, decided to leave London and move back to Seaham to have children. They now have two daughters.

Following a two-year career break, Amanda is returning to the world of make-up – but all from her little home town.

With the help of the North-East Business and Innovation Centre (BIC), she has set up her own business, Amanda Bell – Elite Make-up Artist.

Established in April with support from BIC business advisor Debbie Simpson, the firm is targeting the wedding market, regional fashion industry and anyone looking to change their image.

Amanda also hopes to pass on her skills and experience by teaching at local colleges.

“As a make-up artist, I take great pleasure in finding out the needs of women concerning their make-up and beauty routines, whether it’s for an everyday work look, a blushing bride or a red carpet event,” she says.

“Now that I’m back in the North-East I’m really looking forward to making the wealth of experience I’ve acquired and the skills I’ve developed available to the people in the region.

“The service I’m offering will bring a totally high-end experience for my clients and a holistic approach to make-up.

“They will be able to experience first-hand what it’s like to be a celebrity and have their own personal make-up artist and have access to my advice through the whole process.

“A bespoke make-up personal shopping service, I’ll also be available for a number of makeup services, including one-to-one coaching, running make-up workshops, creating catwalk looks and working with corporate client events.”

Ms Simpson said: “Amanda is so modest and down to earth, but her experience is really breathtaking.

“When I first met her I could barely hold my excitement as she clearly has a very strong business case and undoubtedly has the ability to tap into a high-end market at a level which is virtually unexplored in the North-East.”

Visit amanda-bell.co.uk or call 07775-704920